Amnt 26 - Industry Day - Recent Updates (20260318).pdf

This document is a presentation summarizing recent updates to the NEON Series-1 Small Business set-aside (SMBA) Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Near Earth Orbit Network satellite constellation. The NEON Series-1 team is conducting ongoing one-on-one industry discussions until RFP release, after which no further document updates will be made—only clarifications will be provided. The final RFP is expected in the end of Q1 CY 2026 or beginning of Q2 CY 2026, with proposals due 60 calendar days after release and contract award anticipated in Q3 CY 2027.

The contract encompasses three Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs): CLIN 0001 is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee with Schedule Incentive for Flight Model (FM) 1 covering non-recurring engineering through launch plus six months; CLIN 0002 is Firm Fixed Price for FM2 and FM3 production through bench acceptance testing; CLIN 0003 provides Time and Material task orders for special studies and post-commissioning support. Delivery dates are July 1, 2032 (FM1), July 1, 2033 (FM2), and July 1, 2034 (FM3), with corresponding launch dates of October 1, 2034, 2037, and 2040. Funding is distributed as 10% in Government FY27 and 20% each in GFY28 and GFY29. Key updates include extended J-band spectrum to 238 GHz, modified radiometric sensitivity requirements with adjusted thermal noise contributions, relaxed hyperspectral resolution for V-band, removal of linear polarization direction requirements for heritage channels, clarified 1/f noise ratio calculations, and relaxed SRF (spectral response function) requirements. Subfactor scoring for the Mission Suitability volume emphasizes technical performance (500 points), management approach (400 points), and Small Business Utilization (100 points).